Lyanco to Celtic transfer directly addressed by Brendan Rodgers as Southampton defender dropped from squad

Brendan Rodgers has addressed interest in Southampton defender Lyanco as the Celtic boss inches closer to a deal for Luis Palma.

Record Sport revealed that Celtic were ramping up their search for a new centre-back amid an injury crisis at the heart of the defence - with a loan deal the preferred option with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki facing up to two months on the sidelines and Stephen Welsh out for four months following surgery. The Brazilian defender is on the Scottish Premiership champions shortlist having dropped down the pecking order at St Mary's following the arrival of Mason Holgate on loan from Everton.

The centre-back was not named in the Southampton squad by Russell Martin during the 2-1 over QPR which only fuelled speculation that an imminent exit could be on the cards. Honduras cap Palma is also expected to make the move to Parkhead from Aris before the window slams shut.

Asked about interest in Lyanco and Palma, Rodgers told Sky Sports: "We are obviously working and hopefully over the next few days we can update on that. But, nothing to confirm at the minute."

He also admitted he was desperate to add firepower after the stalemate with St Johnstone - which could be solved by inbound Palma. Rodgers said: “Hopefully. I think it’s clear. I said before we’d improved the squad with some of the players we’ve brought in but we need to improve the team.

“It’s always a challenge coming off the back of a season when you’ve won the treble, you’ve got to go again the following season. There’s greater expectation on you and more pressure on you. The fans will expect that and rightly so.

“They were disappointed after the game and I’m fully aware that if you draw at home to St Johnstone you deserve that